What makes a cervix friable

Bleeding or spotting from intercourse. Abnormal vaginal discharge. Spotting in between periods. Vaginal itching, burning, and irritation. What Causes a Friable Cervix? Sexually Transmitted Infections: Certain STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea, cervical herpes, trichomoniasis parasite , can lead to inflammation or irritation of the cervix.

Vaginal Atrophy : When the body has less estrogen, it can lead to the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vagina. Menopause: When the body goes through menopause , hormonal changes can lead to vaginal and cervical imbalances. Hormonal Imbalances: A drop in estrogen from other factors include pregnancy, birth, lactation, undergoing a hysterectomy or removal of the reproductive organs.

Medications: Some prescription medications, and cancer treatments. Cervical Ectropion: Sometimes known as cervical erosion.

Cervical Polyps: Small elongated tumors that grow on the cervix, and are typically benign, aka not cancerous. Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: An abnormal growth of cervical cells, typically caused by the Human Papillomavirus HPV , and can become cancerous if left untreated.

Hormone Replacement Therapy , as well as hormonal birth control. Hypothyroidism: A condition that causes the thyroid to be underactive. Cirrhosis of the liver. Intrauterine Devices, or IUDs.

Pregnancy Complications. Vaginal Dysbiosis: An imbalance of unhealthy bacteria and yeasts versus good bacteria. Food Sensitivities: Many food sensitivities can cause inflammation, even in the cervix. Cervicitis is the name given to any inflammation of the cervix. It can be caused by various kinds of infection, including:.

A friable cervix can also be caused by physical irritation or an allergic reaction. For instance, an adverse reaction in the cervix can be caused by spermicides, latex condoms, or female contraceptives devices such as diaphragms and pessaries. Pregnancy hormones can cause the cervix to become more sensitive than usual.

This is because of the increased blood supply in the tissues surrounding the cervix. This increased sensitivity means that any irritation to the cervix, such as intercourse or an internal examination, can result in spotting or bleeding. A friable or sensitive cervix on its own is not a risk to pregnancy. However, a woman should consult her doctor immediately if any bleeding occurs during pregnancy. Cervical polyps are small growths that develop on the cervix.

Most are benign but could cause bleeding after intercourse or between periods. Cervical ectropion occurs when the thin layer of glandular cells that are normally found inside the cervical canal extend to the outside of the cervix. This is a benign condition. Symptoms include vaginal discharge and bleeding after intercourse. They normally do not need to be treated. This condition occurs when cells in the cervix undergo abnormal changes over time and could potentially turn cancerous if not treated.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cells of the cervix. In its early stages, cancer of the cervix often has no visible symptoms. If there are signs, the most common one is vaginal bleeding, which a person may notice after intercourse or between periods. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papilloma virus HPV , a virus that can be passed on through sexual contact.

The treatments for conditions that cause a friable cervix can vary depending on the underlying causes. Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina vaginal canal make up the female reproductive system.

Cervicitis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Cervicitis With cervicitis, an inflammation of your cervix, your cervix appears red and irritated and may produce a pus-like discharge. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Sept.

Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, Atlanta, Ga. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bennett JE, et al.